I have always been very curious about the Third Gender – so I asked a few Trans friends questions about their sex lives. I also wanted to demystify a way of being that I find genuinely fascinating.

Being transgender is independent of sexual orientation. Transgender people may identify as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, asexual, or choose no labels at all. In Hindu culture, classification as the ‘third gender’ – also characterised as ‘sexually neutral beings’ – is understood to bestow blessings. In certain ancient cultures, transgender people were seen as shamans and closer to the divine, and they have had a prominent role in arts and entertainment throughout history.

Fun fact: some species of fish are naturally transgender, switching between the sexes during their lifetime!